MEHDI ABEID has revealed his desire to fast-track his way into Alan Pardew’s first-team plans THIS season.

The 18-year-old has gatecrashed the first-team party in pre-season by catching the eye of the Newcastle boss.

And the Frenchman is in line for a slice of action against Sporting Kansas City tonight at Livestrong Park.

Abeid has impressed during pre-season training and was elevated to first-team level with Newcastle in the States by Pardew, rather than being sent to Holland on the second-team tour.

But he is under no illusions about his role at United – and, in his first newspaper interview in England, Abeid told the Chronicle: “There are some great players in this team and I must battle to get past them.

“I want to progress here and it is good for my education in football.

“I am very happy to be playing for Newcastle now. I hope I can do well for the club this season.

“And I am looking forward to the challenge of being a Newcastle player.”

United snatched Abeid from Racing Club Lens in France, and he admitted that as soon as he heard of the interest from Newcastle, he was keen to prove himself on trial.

He said: “I heard some good things about Newcastle from when I was in France. They are a big club on the way up. Every young player would like this opportunity and I feel very fortunate to have it.”

Abeid has a solid friendship with Toon ace Hatem Ben Arfa and has dreams of combining with the talisman this term on Tyneside.

With Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba also for company, the youngster feels right at home already.

He said: “Hatem and Demba have helped me a lot already. It is good to have them around at the moment while I settle in.

“But all of the players have been supportive and I like the team, I want to be in it.

“It is a big challenge for me and I hope to play in a lot of games this season in the first team.

“But we will see. I will be working hard every day in training to get there.”